Online gambling in Malta and Gibraltar: world licensing centres

Online gambling in Malta and Gibraltar: world licensing centres (full text)

💡 Focus - B2C operators and B2B providers. Rate figures and exact fees are regularly updated by regulatory documents; below is a structural roadmap that can be quickly adapted to current tariffs and forms.

1) Who regulates and what exactly is licensed

Malta (MGA).

Two-axis model:

B2C (Gaming Service License) - online casino (slots, roulette/blackjack/live), poker, betting, etc.
B2B (Critical Gaming Supply License) - platform providers, aggregators, content studios, hosting/critical services.
Common principles: KYC/AML completeness, player protection (RG), technical certification, event logging, incident management, data protection (EU GDPR).

Gibraltar (Gambling Commissioner/Gambling Division).

Utilitarian model for international groups:

Remote B2C - casino/poker/betting, etc.
B2B - platforms, hosting, payment channels/risk management for remote gambling.
Emphasis - on "substance" (real presence), stable processes and risk-oriented supervisory dialogue.

2) Player Protection (RG) and Advertising Requirements

Default self-monitoring. Personal limits (deposits/losses/time), timeouts, self-exclusion mechanisms, "reality checks," early intervention triggers for signs of excessive play.

Responsible marketing. Age targeting 18 +, banning misleading promises ("quick money," "guaranteed winnings"), transparent bonus terms. Affiliate control and prohibition of "gray" advertising are mandatory.

Complaints and controversies. Referral procedures, escalation to ombudsmen/ADRs, mandatory response times.

Content policy. RNG/game certification, correct RTP declarations, prohibition of aggressive mechanics and misleading interfaces.

3) AML/KYC, data and technique

KYC/EDD. Identification, verification of the source of funds for risk triggers, monitoring of transactions, sanctions/PEP checklists.

Data & Logs. Storage of session/transaction logs, data access policies, incident logs, continuity plans (BCP/DRP).

Technical certification. Platform, wallets, games, RNG - through accredited auditors; regular re-cert.

Cloud and outsourcing chains. SLA/DPA agreements regulated by "critical dependencies" (hosting, monitoring, anti-fraud).

Cybersecurity. ISMS loops, vulnerability tests/penetration tests, Key Persons/Key Functions management.

4) License economics: what are the costs

💡 Specific numbers depend on product, scope and rule updates. The cost structure looks like this:

Game/Gaming Duty (game collection). Fees/tax on gaming income (usually on the operator's side), with differences in verticals and markets (for Malta - including the specifics of accounting for local traffic; for Gibraltar - low rate with GGY and set thresholds/lows/cap limits).

Corporate taxes. Malta is a classic tax system with return/credit mechanisms (the effective rate depends on the structure of the group). Gibraltar - low nominal corporate tax rate with substance.

Licensing and annual fees. Depend on type (B2C/B2B), game categories, revolutions/skale; may include due-diligence fee and supervisory fees.

Audit and compliance-OPEX. Certification, affiliate/advertising control, RG/AML analytics, anti-fraud, cybersecurity, legal support.

Payments. PSP cost, chargebacks/anti-fraud, local methods, returns deductions.

Practical conclusion: both jurisdictions provide a predictable fiscal framework for international operators, but require an "evidence base" on processes and data. The economy is built around GGR/ggy-fee + corporate tax + permanent compliance-OPEX.

5) Why Malta is chosen

Full B2C/B2B stack. Convenient for holdings: the operator and "critical suppliers" (aggregators, studios) are licensed.

European circuit. Direct compliance with EU law (GDPR, AML directives), understandable requirements for DPO/ISMS.

Developed ecosystem. Human resources, consulting, banks/payments, auditors, RegTech/MarTech market.

Flexible "regulatory dialogue." Reconfiguration of processes based on inspection results; the regulator publishes guidelines and positional letters.

6) Why Gibraltar is chosen

Strong remote focus. The jurisdiction historically concentrates global rate trading teams, risk management, platform cores.

Substance-first mode. The regulator expects a real presence and qualified management on the spot - this increases the confidence of payment partners and banks.

Stable compliance supervision. Risk-based approach: big focus on duty of care, advertising practices, tech magazines and financial sustainability.

Access to talent and neighboring markets. Geography and business connections simplify the work of multi-jurisdictional groups.

7) Licensing plan: where to start (universal for MGA and Gibraltar)

1. Legal architecture. License selection (B2C/B2B), group structure, beneficiaries, "substance" (office, board of directors, key functions).

2. Policies and procedures. RG/KYC/AML, financial monitoring, risk appetite, advertising standards, T&C, complaints/ADR, incident-response.

3. Technique and data. Platform/game certification, logging, reporting feeds, DPA/SLA with providers, BCP/DRP plans, KRI/KPI for duty of care.

4. Finmodel. Miscalculation of the unit economy taking into account game fees, corporate tax, PSP commissions and the cost of compliance.

5. Operational launch. UAT/soft-launch, affiliate control, support channels, readiness for inspections and regular reporting.

6. Continuous compliance. Re-audits, staff training, vulnerability tests, adjustment of RG triggers (early intervention, affordability signals).

8) Product & Marketing Impact

«RG-by-design». Slower UX: pop-up notifications, pauses, limits, understandable RTP and bonus terms.

CRM instead of "big bang" ads. Emphasis on retention, personalization and transparent communication; affiliates under control and with exhaustive T & C.

Technical stack as a competitive advantage. The quality of logging and anti-fraud determines the admission to payments, the speed of investigations and the attitude of supervision.

9) Operator FAQ

Can B2C and B2B be kept in the same group?

Yes I did. Both jurisdictions assume parallel lives for operators and "critical suppliers," but require independent controls and correct contracts within the group.

Do I need a "substance" on the spot?

Yes I did. Both Malta and Gibraltar expect a real operational presence (stewards, compliance functions, access to systems and logs).

Where is easier with payments?

Where AML/KYC is better built, monitoring and logging: banks and PSP look not only at the license, but also at the quality of processes.

How often are overaudits?

Regularly, according to the license schedule and/or supervision requests (plus unscheduled - in case of incidents).

10) Memo to player

Play with brands with a valid license of the relevant jurisdiction.

Set limits and use timeouts; keep a history of deposits/withdrawals.

Avoid sites without local authorization - they have no protection and transparent payment procedures.

Malta and Gibraltar are two of the world's mature licensing hubs: predictable regulatory, professional oversight and a powerful ecosystem of services. In exchange for strict compliance, "substance" and a transparent economy, the operator receives a reputational "quality mark," access to payment infrastructure and a stable framework for scaling to other countries. For players, this means a more secure product, clear rules and real "stop buttons."